Can Brake Controller be Used for Braking on Vehicle Flat Towed

Updated 05/24/2017 | Published 05/22/2017

Products Featured in This Question

12 Volt Outlet Kit, 20 amps

(367)

$36.61

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(481)

$1659.71

Question:

I have a brake controller inherited from previous RV owner and thinking to use it in my Subaru crosstrek for flat towing behind my RV. Since the brake controller uses 12VDC power from the car, is keeping the ignition on ACC the only way to power the controller? Eventually, the car battery will run out... Does below tow package supply power from the RV to charge the cars battery? RM-15267 Thx!

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

Brake controllers can't activate the brakes of a vehicle being flat towed so you will have to look into a supplemental braking system. Some do require power to operate and on vehicles that also require the battery be disconnected the solution is to use an outlet kit like part # RM-9332 which wires to the battery and then gives an outlet.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

expert reply by: Jameson C